Golf club head

Abstract

A golf club head comprises a body having a face, a crown and a sole together defining an interior cavity. The body having a channel located on the sole and extending generally from a heel end of the body to a toe end of the body. A weight member movably positioned within the channel such that a position of the weight member within the channel is able to be adjusted, thereby adjusting a location of a center of gravity of the body. Additionally, adjustment of the weight member provides a maximum x-axis adjustment range of the position of the center of gravity (Max ΔCGx) that is greater than 2 mm and a maximum z-axis adjustment range of the center of gravity (Max ΔCGz) that is less than 2 mm.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A golf club head comprising:
 a club head body having a crown portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a rear portion, and a front portion together defining an interior cavity, wherein:
 the club head body has a striking surface located at the front portion of the club head body, and a head origin defined as a position on the striking surface at approximately a geometric center of the striking surface, the head origin including a head origin x-axis, a head origin y-axis, and a head origin z-axis; 
 the head origin x-axis is tangential to the striking surface and generally parallel to a ground plane when the head is in an address position and a positive x-axis extends towards a heel portion; 
 the head origin y-axis extends perpendicular to the head origin x-axis and generally parallel to the ground plane when the head is in the address position and a positive y-axis extends from the striking surface and through the rear portion of the club head body; 
 the head origin z-axis extends perpendicular to the ground plane, and perpendicular to both the head origin x-axis and y-axis when the head is in the address position and a positive z-axis extends from the head origin and generally upward; 
 the golf club head has a center of gravity, and the center of gravity has a head origin x-axis (CGx) coordinate greater than about-3 mm and less than about 8 mm, and a head origin y-axis (CGy) coordinate greater than about 22 mm and less than 43 mm; 
 the golf club head center of gravity has a head origin z-axis (CGz) coordinate less than about 3 mm; 
 the golf club head has a moment of inertia about a center of gravity x-axis (CG x-axis), the CG x-axis is parallel to the head origin x-axis and passes through the center of gravity of the golf club head; 
 the golf club head has a moment of inertia about a center of gravity z-axis (CG z-axis), the CG z-axis is parallel to the head origin z-axis and passes through the center of gravity of the golf club head; 
 the golf club head moment of inertia about the CG x-axis is between about 200 kg·mm 2  and 500 kg·mm 2  and the moment of inertia about the CG z-axis is between about 350 kg·mm 2  and about 600 kg·mm 2 ; 
 the areal weight of the crown portion is less than about 0.36 g/cm 2  over at least about 50% of an entire crown portion surface area, and wherein the crown portion is at least partially formed of a composite material having a density between 1 g/cc and 2 g/cc; 
 the club head body has a channel located on the sole portion and extending generally from the front portion of the club head body to the rear portion of the club head body; 
 the club head body further comprises first and second ledges, opposing each other and extending within the channel from the front portion of the club head body to the rear portion the club head body, wherein the first and second ledges are disposed between an outer portion of the channel and an inner portion of the channel; and 
 the club head body has a volume of at least 400 cubic centimeters; 
 
 at least one weight member movably positioned within the channel, wherein a position of the at least one weight member within the channel is able to be adjusted, and wherein the at least one weight member comprises:
 an outer member retained within the outer portion of the channel and in contact with the first and second ledges, the outer member having a first non-round outer peripheral shape that prevents rotation of the outer member within the channel, wherein the outer member is configured to slide within the outer portion of the channel along an entire length of the channel and wherein the outer member comprises an outer-member central protrusion that extends into a space defined between the first and second ledges; 
 an inner member retained within the inner portion of the channel and in contact with the first and second ledges, the inner member comprising a threaded bore and having a second non-round outer peripheral shape that prevents rotation of the inner member within the channel, wherein the inner member comprises an inner-member central protrusion that extends into the space defined between the first and second ledges; and 
 a fastening bolt that connects the outer member to the inner member and is threadably connected with the threaded bore of the inner member; and 
 
 an adjustable head-shaft connection assembly comprising a sleeve secured by a fastening member in a locked position, the head-shaft connection system configured to allow the golf club head to be adjustably attachable to a golf club shaft in a plurality of different positions resulting in different combinations of loft angle, face angle, or lie angle. 
 
     
     
       2. The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the channel has a channel length between about 30 mm and about 120 mm, a channel width between about 8 mm and about 20 mm, and the channel is offset from the striking surface a minimum distance of at least 12 mm and no more than 50 mm. 
     
     
       3. The golf club head of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more ribs located on an internal surface of the sole. 
     
     
       4. The golf club head of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the one or more ribs extends along the channel in a lengthwise direction. 
     
     
       5. The golf club head of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the one or more ribs extends along the channel in a widthwise direction, and wherein the at least one of the one or more ribs that extends along the channel in the widthwise direction intersects the at least one of the one or more ribs that extends along the channel in the lengthwise direction. 
     
     
       6. The golf club head of  claim 3 , further comprising one or more weight ports and at least one weight removably attached to the one or more weight ports. 
     
     
       7. The golf club head of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more weight ports comprise a first weight port and a second weight port, and wherein a distance between the first and second weight ports is between 50 mm and 100 mm. 
     
     
       8. The golf club head of  claim 6 , wherein the channel and the one or more weight ports are an integral part of the body. 
     
     
       9. The golf club head of  claim 8 , wherein the body, the channel, and the one or more weight ports are made at least in part from a metal material and form an integrated cast structure. 
     
     
       10. The golf club head of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the outer member and the inner member have a length between about 8 mm to about 20 mm and a width between about 8 mm to about 20 mm. 
     
     
       11. The golf club head of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first and second ledges include a plurality of projections located on an exposed surface of the first and second ledges; and 
 the at least one weight member comprises a plurality of recesses adapted to selectively receive the projections located on the first and second ledges include, the recesses being sized relative to the projections such that the at least one weight member can move within the channel a limited amount when one of the projections is received in one of the recesses. 
 
     
     
       12. The golf club head of  claim 10 , wherein the body comprises a face opening, and the striking surface is welded to the body thereby closing the face opening. 
     
     
       13. The golf club head of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one weight member is configured to move between at least a first position and at least a second position, wherein the first position is positioned rearward of the center of gravity and the second position is positioned forward of the center of gravity, and wherein moving the at least one weight member provides a maximum y-axis adjustment range of the position of the center of gravity (Max L1CGy) that is greater than 2 mm. 
     
     
       14. The golf club head of  claim 13 , wherein the composite material of the crown portion has a density between 1.4 g/cc and 1.6 g/cc. 
     
     
       15. The golf club head of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the sole portion is formed from a composite material having a density less than 2 g/cc. 
     
     
       16. The golf club head of  claim 3 , wherein the golf club head further comprises a hosel, having an interior cylindrical portion within the interior cavity, and wherein at least one of the one or more ribs is tied directly to the interior cylindrical portion of the hosel and tied directly to the channel. 
     
     
       17. The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the sole portion is formed from a composite material having a density less than 2 g/cc. 
     
     
       18. The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the club head body comprises a face opening, and the striking surface comprises a composite face plate received in the face opening to thereby close the face opening. 
     
     
       19. A golf club head comprising:
 a club head body having a crown portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a rear portion, and a front portion together defining an interior cavity, wherein:
 the club head body has a striking surface located at the front portion of the club head body, and a head origin defined as a position on the striking surface at approximately a geometric center of the striking surface, the head origin including a head origin x-axis, a head origin y-axis, and a head origin z-axis; 
 the head origin x-axis is tangential to the striking surface and generally parallel to a ground plane when the head is in an address position and a positive x-axis extends towards a heel portion; 
 the head origin y-axis extends perpendicular to the head origin x-axis and generally parallel to the ground plane when the head is in the address position and a positive y-axis extends from the striking surface and through the rear portion of the club head body; 
 the head origin z-axis extends perpendicular to the ground plane, and perpendicular to both the head origin x-axis and y-axis when the head is in the address position and a positive z-axis extends from the head origin and generally upward; 
 the golf club head has a center of gravity, and the center of gravity has a head origin x-axis (CGx) coordinate greater than about-3 mm and less than about 8 mm, and a head origin y-axis (CGy) coordinate greater than about 22 mm and less than 43 mm; 
 the golf club head center of gravity has a head origin z-axis (CGz) coordinate less than about 3 mm; 
 the golf club head has a moment of inertia about a center of gravity x-axis (CG x-axis), the CG x-axis is parallel to the head origin x-axis and passes through the center of gravity of the golf club head; 
 the golf club head has a moment of inertia about a center of gravity z-axis (CG z-axis), the CG z-axis is parallel to the head origin z-axis and passes through the center of gravity of the golf club head; 
 the golf club head moment of inertia about the CG x-axis is between about 200 kg·mm 2  and 500 kg·mm 2  and the moment of inertia about the CG z-axis is between about 350 kg·mm 2  and about 600 kg·mm 2 ; 
 the areal weight of the crown portion is less than about 0.36 g/cm 2  over at least about 50% of an entire crown portion surface area, and wherein the crown portion is at least partially formed of a composite material having a density between 1 g/cc and 2 g/cc; 
 the club head body has a channel located on the sole portion and extending generally from the front portion of the club head body to the rear portion of the club head body; 
 the club head body further comprises first and second ledges, opposing each other and extending within the channel from the front portion of the club head body to the rear portion the club head body, wherein the first and second ledges are disposed between an outer portion of the channel and an inner portion of the channel; and 
 the club head body has a volume of at least 400 cubic centimeters; 
 
 at least one weight member movably positioned within the channel, wherein a position of the at least one weight member within the channel is able to be adjusted, and wherein the at least one weight member comprises:
 an outer member retained within the outer portion of the channel and in contact with the first and second ledges, the outer member having a first non-round outer peripheral shape that prevents rotation of the outer member within the channel, wherein the outer member is configured to sit within the outer portion of the channel along an entire length of the channel and wherein the outer member comprises an outer-member central protrusion that extends into a space defined between the first and second ledges; 
 an inner member retained within the inner portion of the channel and in contact with the first and second ledges, the inner member comprising a threaded bore and having a second non-round outer peripheral shape that prevents rotation of the inner member within the channel, wherein the inner member comprises an inner-member central protrusion that extends into the space defined between the first and second ledges; and 
 a fastening bolt that connects the outer member to the inner member and is threadably connected with the threaded bore of the inner member; and 
 
 an adjustable head-shaft connection assembly comprising a sleeve secured by a fastening member in a locked position, the head-shaft connection system configured to allow the golf club head to be adjustably attachable to a golf club shaft in a plurality of different positions resulting in different combinations of loft angle, face angle, or lie angle. 
 
     
     
       20. The golf club head of  claim 19 , wherein the club head body comprises a face opening, and the striking surface comprises a composite face plate received in the face opening to thereby close the face opening. 
     
     
       21. A golf club head comprising:
 a club head body having a crown portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a rear portion, and a front portion together defining an interior cavity, wherein:
 the club head body has a striking surface located at the front portion of the club head body, and a head origin defined as a position on the striking surface at approximately a geometric center of the striking surface, the head origin including a head origin x-axis, a head origin y-axis, and a head origin z-axis; 
 the head origin x-axis is tangential to the striking surface and generally parallel to a ground plane when the head is in an address position and a positive x-axis extends towards a heel portion; 
 the head origin y-axis extends perpendicular to the head origin x-axis and generally parallel to the ground plane when the head is in the address position and a positive y-axis extends from the striking surface and through the rear portion of the club head body; 
 the head origin z-axis extends perpendicular to the ground plane, and perpendicular to both the head origin x-axis and y-axis when the head is in the address position and a positive z-axis extends from the head origin and generally upward; 
 the golf club head has a center of gravity, and the center of gravity has a head origin x-axis (CGx) coordinate greater than about-3 mm and less than about 8 mm, and a head origin y-axis (CGy) coordinate greater than about 22 mm and less than 43 mm; 
 the golf club head center of gravity has a head origin z-axis (CGz) coordinate less than about 3 mm; 
 the golf club head has a moment of inertia about a center of gravity x-axis (CGx-axis), the CG x-axis is parallel to the head origin x-axis and passes through the center of gravity of the golf club head; 
 the golf club head has a moment of inertia about a center of gravity z-axis (CG z-axis), the CG z-axis is parallel to the head origin z-axis and passes through the center of gravity of the golf club head; 
 the golf club head moment of inertia about the CG x-axis is between about 200 kg·mm 2  and 500 kg·mm 2  and the moment of inertia about the CG z-axis is between about 350 kg·mm 2  and about 600 kg·mm 2 ; 
 the areal weight of the crown portion is less than about 0.36 g/cm 2  over at least about 50% of an entire crown portion surface area, and wherein the crown portion is at least partially formed of a composite material having a density between 1 g/cc and 2 g/cc; 
 the club head body has a channel located on the sole portion and extending generally from the front portion of the club head body to the rear portion of the club head body; 
 the club head body further comprises first and second ledges, opposing each other and extending within the channel from the front portion of the club head body to the rear portion the club head body, wherein the first and second ledges are disposed between an outer portion of the channel and an inner portion of the channel; and 
 the club head body has a volume of at least 400 cubic centimeters; 
 
 at least one weight member movably positioned within the channel, wherein a position of the at least one weight member within the channel is able to be adjusted, and wherein the at least one weight member comprises:
 an outer member retained within the outer portion of the channel and in contact with the first and second ledges, the outer member having a first non-round outer peripheral shape that prevents rotation of the outer member within the channel, wherein the outer portion of the channel is shaped to receive the first non-round outer peripheral shape of the outer member along an entire length of the channel, and wherein the outer member comprises an outer-member central protrusion that extends into a space defined between the first and second ledges; 
 an inner member retained within the inner portion of the channel, the inner member comprising a threaded bore and having a second non-round outer peripheral shape that prevents rotation of the inner member within the channel and wherein the inner member comprises an inner-member central protrusion that extends into the space defined between the first and second ledges; and 
 a fastening bolt that connects the outer member to the inner member and is threadably connected with the threaded bore of the inner member; and 
 
 an adjustable head-shaft connection assembly comprising a sleeve secured by a fastening member in a locked position, the head-shaft connection system configured to allow the golf club head to be adjustably attachable to a golf club shaft in a plurality of different positions resulting in different combinations of loft angle, face angle, or lie angle. 
 
     
     
       22. The golf club head of  claim 21 , wherein the club head body comprises a face opening, and the striking surface comprises a composite face plate received in the face opening to thereby close the face opening.